BARNESVILLE — It’s time to get ready to donate blood at Barnesville High School’s 41st Blood Bash to save lives.

Nonprofit Vitalant and Barnesville High School invite community members to donate at the 41st annual Barnesville Blood Bash, which is a student-led blood drive.

The blood drive will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 9 at Barnesville High School, 910 Shamrock Drive, Barnesville. Appointments can be scheduled at vitalant.org/bloodbash or by calling Rachel Bennet at 412-736-5506.

Donors will receive a special edition T-shirt and automatic entry to win one of the two vacation packages to Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, valued at $12,500.

Donors who sign up through a Barnesville High School student will help that student earn a chance to win a scholarship.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion, according to Vitalant. Each donation provides life-saving treatment for individuals undergoing surgery, experiencing trauma, or facing cancer and blood disorders. Blood collected through the Barnesville Blood Bash helps support hospitals nationwide, including WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital.

In addition to the event’s life-saving impact, the Blood Bash offers students real-world leadership experience while helping ensure a stable blood supply for patients undergoing surgery, experiencing trauma or facing cancer and blood disorders, Vitalant Northeast Division communications manager Maya Santana said.

Vitalant partners with local organizations, high schools, universities, companies and individuals every day to host blood drives and help maintain a safe and steady blood supply for patients before it is needed, Santana added, and the Barnesville High School blood drive makes it more convenient for donors to give.

Vitallant is grateful for the generous support of blood drive hosts and the donors who make them possible, Santana said.

Most healthy individuals who are at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and meet basic health requirements are eligible to donate blood. Donors must feel well on the day of their donation and meet guidelines related to travel, medications and medical conditions. Visit vitalant.org for more details on donor eligibility.

Santana said whenever someone donates blood with Vitalant, they’re helping someone in need, whether across the country or in their community.

“Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. A constant blood supply is essential to treat patients experiencing trauma, cancer, bleeding disorders and more,” Santana said. “It’s the blood already on the hospital shelves that saves lives — no matter the emergency.”